Another Formula 1 driver encountered wildlife at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on the second day of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free
Pierre Gasly struck a groundhog during Saturday’s qualifying session, coming just a day after Alexander Albon hit one in practice.
Unlike Albon, who crashed after his collision, Gasly was able to continue on track. Nevertheless, the contact damaged his car and compounded the handling issues he has been struggling with since the Miami round.
“For Pierre, we tried some experiments on set-up and changed some aerodynamic components to try and put him in a happier place in the car,” explained racing director Steve Nielsen. “While it’s marginally better, he’s clearly still not at ease with the package as it stands and we must continue digging to understand why as it’s certainly uncharacteristic to see him so far off where we expect him to be.
“Unfortunately, he suffered some floor damage in Q1 as a result of hitting a trackside groundhog, which impacted his car’s handling in Q2.”
Gasly did not appear to realize the extent of the damage when speaking immediately after qualifying.
“We’re extremely slow on my side,” he said. “We know we clearly have work to do, but at the moment it’s just been two weekends, exactly the same thing.”
“I can feel that something is not working, but I need the team to help me,” he added.
Collisions with animals have occurred multiple times at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and such incidents seem to be happening more often. In addition to the two groundhogs killed this weekend, Lewis Hamilton struck another during last year’s race.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter andgo ad-free
Miss nothing from RaceFans
Get a daily email with our latest stories — no marketing, no ads. Sign up here:
2026 Canadian Grand Prix
- Stats: Antonelli has larger points lead than any driver had last year, and more
- Power deficit is keeping Ferrari out of the fight with Mercedes – Hamilton
- ‘Actually an opportunity’: How McLaren answered drivers’ calls to ditch tyre gamble
- “He needs to back up”: How Mercedes managed Russell and Antonelli’s Canadian GP fight
- ‘It doesn’t feel like what motorsport should be’: Podium trio still unhappy with F1’s power units
Browse all 2026 Canadian Grand Prix articles